Mike Fortino's Obituary
Mike Fortino, age 89, of Grand Haven passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at his home. He was born August 14, 1916 to Louis and Chiara (Quinterri) Fortino in Grand Haven, MI. He married Jeanne Merritt on May 18, 1968. His first wife, Mary Ellen “Kent” Wickman, preceded him in death on December 24, 1960. Mike served in the US Marine Corps during WWII and had been a supervisor for Bastian Blessing, retiring in 1974. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus for many years and served as Grand Knight, the American Legion-Charles Conklin Post 28, and the F.O. Elks-Aerie #925 where he had been active in the Elk’s minstrel shows. Mike was a past president of the Little League, one of the founders of Buccaneer Boosters, and had been an avid fisherman. Survivors include his wife Jeanne; five daughters: Martha Meagher, Washington, Mich., Mary Ellen (Ken) Jackson and Betsy (Mark) Kleist both of Grand Haven, Gaye (Dick) Sheffers of Detour Village, MI, Debbie (David) Snyder of Petoskey; six sons: Mike (Kelly) Fortino of Milwaukee, Pat (MaryAnn) Fortino of Spring Lake, Terry (Lynn) Fortino of Medford, NJ, Tom Grimes and Jack Grimes both of Grand Haven, Bill (Bonnie) Grimes of Gilbert, Ariz.; 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild; his sister Mary Pontarelli of Grand Haven; sister-in-law, Muriel Roulston of Ferrysburg; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Tom Meagher, and brothers, Frank, Alphonso and Paul Fortino.
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